Audrey J. Bruess of Sleepy Eye, found peace beside her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye with Father Aaron Johanneck celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 – 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm. There will be a parish prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. To leave an online condolence for her family or to sign the guest book go to www.mvfh.org.

Audrey Jean Fischer was born on July 6, 1936, in Springfield, to George L. and Lily Fischer. She graduated in 1954 from Sleepy Eye Public High School. As a child and teenager, Audrey was spirited and adventurous. She loved to go roller skating with her sisters and friends at the New Ulm Armory. Audrey and her friends raided the neighborhood gardens for apples, rhubarb and tomatoes, a pastime they enjoyed so much, bringing their own salt shakers with them. Audrey married in 1954, four beautiful children, her gifts. On September 15, 2001, she married Donn Bruess, who proceeded her in death earlier this year. Audrey and Donn shared a connection of great love, friendship and laughter. During their time together, they loved to travel, golf, play cribbage, entertain family and friends as well as spend time in peace at the farm. Audrey was a member of Sleepy Eye St. Mary's Catholic Church and Christian Mothers. She worked many years at Advertising Unlimited, Inc., as a sales person, buyer's assistant and office manager. In 1996 she was employed as manager of Countryside Retirement Community in Sleepy Eye before retiring in 2004. Audrey truly loved her job and the people who lived and worked at Countryside, and chose to spend her final days on this earth as a resident there.